Cambodia · Travel guide
How the country divides, how to choose between the ten destinations, when to go, what it costs and three routes that work.
Photo: Satdeep Gill · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cambodia offers the temples of Angkor, a resilient capital, quiet river towns and islands, at low prices. This guide explains how the country divides, how to choose between the ten destinations, how to travel, when to go, what it costs and three routes that work.
Cambodia is small enough to explore in two weeks, and for a visitor it divides into four zones.
The north-west. Siem Reap is the base for Angkor, Banteay Srei and Kulen and Koh Ker and Beng Mealea, with Battambang a few hours south.
The capital. Phnom Penh sits where three rivers meet and is the hub for the rest of the country.
The south coast. Kampot and Kep and Koh Rong offer river life, crab and beaches.
The east. Kratie on the Mekong and Mondulkiri in the hills offer dolphins and elephants.
Worth knowing: A first trip usually combines Angkor with Phnom Penh and a stretch of coast.
[[siem-reap
[[angkor-archaeological-park
[[phnom-penh
[[koh-rong
[[kratie
[[battambang
Buses and minivans link all the main towns, and are cheap. The Phnom Penh to Siem Reap journey takes about six hours.
Flights link Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, saving time on long routes.
Tuk-tuks are the main local transport, and a tuk-tuk or car with a driver is the usual way to see the temples.
Ride-hailing apps such as PassApp and Grab operate in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Worth knowing: Roads are improving, but journeys can be slower than distances suggest.
Cambodia has a hot, tropical climate with a dry season from November to May and a wet season from June to October.
November to February is the coolest and most comfortable time, and the busiest.
March to May is very hot, especially April, though temples are quiet.
June to October is the green season, with afternoon showers, lower prices and fewer visitors. Angkor remains accessible.
Water Festival in Phnom Penh falls in November, and Khmer New Year in mid-April.
Worth knowing: The Tonle Sap lake floods in the wet season, changing the landscape.
Cambodia is one of the cheapest countries in South-East Asia. A budget traveller can manage on US$30-50 a day, a mid-range traveller on US$70-130.
US dollars are used widely in cities, with change given in riel. Carry small dollar notes. ATMs dispense dollars.
The main costs are Angkor tickets, which are US$37 for one day, US$62 for three days and US$72 for seven days (check current prices), and transport.
Cambodia is generally safe for visitors, but petty theft, bag-snatching from motorbikes and traffic accidents are the main risks. Avoid leaving the paths in rural areas because of unexploded mines.
Three nights in [[siem-reap
Tip Siem Reap]] with a day at [[angkor-archaeological-park
One week route plus three nights in [[kampot-kep
Tip Kampot and Kep]].
The itinerary on the country page, covering Siem Reap, Battambang, Phnom Penh, the coast and the east.
Tip Add [[koh-rong
Reference
Every place named above has its own detailed guide — attractions, food, where to stay, how to get around and a suggested day-by-day plan.
Siem Reap Province, north-west Cambodia
A UNESCO World Heritage Site covering over 400 square kilometres, with Angkor Wat, the faces of the Bayon, the jungle-wrapped Ta Prohm and dozens of other temples.
Don't miss Watching the towers of Angkor Wat emerge from the dark at sunrise.
Explore Destination — Angkor Archaeological ParkSiem Reap Province
A relaxed city with Pub Street, the Old Market, Phare circus, Royal Gardens and trips to the Tonle Sap floating villages.
Don't miss Eating fish amok in the old market after a day among temples.
Explore Destination — Siem Reap and Tonle SapPhnom Penh Municipality
A busy riverside capital with the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Central Market, Tuol Sleng, Choeung Ek and a growing food scene.
Don't miss Watching the sun set over the river from a rooftop after a day of palaces and markets.
Explore Destination — Phnom PenhBattambang Province, north-west Cambodia
A relaxed provincial capital with French architecture, a contemporary arts scene, the bamboo train, Phnom Sampov bat cave and temples.
Don't miss Riding the rattling bamboo train through green fields.
Explore Destination — BattambangKampot and Kep Provinces, southern coast
A relaxed southern coast with colonial architecture, Kampot pepper, river cruises, Bokor Hill, Kep crab market and Rabbit Island.
Don't miss Floating down the Kampot river at sunset, then eating crab in Kep.
Explore Destination — Kampot and KepPreah Sihanouk Province, Gulf of Thailand
Two islands with beaches, snorkelling, jungle trails and a relaxed beach vibe, reached by ferry from Sihanoukville.
Don't miss Swimming through glowing plankton at night on a quiet beach.
Explore Destination — Koh Rong and Koh Rong SamloemKratie Province, north-east Cambodia
A riverside provincial town with Irrawaddy dolphins at Kampi, Koh Trong island, sunsets over the Mekong and French-era buildings.
Don't miss Watching Irrawaddy dolphins surface in the golden light of the Mekong.
Explore Destination — KratieMondulkiri Province, eastern Cambodia
A cool highland province with Sen Monorom, Bunong culture, waterfalls, elephant sanctuaries and wild forest.
Don't miss Walking with rescued elephants through the hills of Mondulkiri.
Explore Destination — MondulkiriPreah Vihear and Siem Reap Provinces
Two remote Khmer sites: Beng Mealea, a half-collapsed temple swallowed by the jungle, and Koh Ker, a 10th-century capital with a dramatic pyramid.
Don't miss Climbing a seven-tier pyramid in the forest with almost no one else around.
Explore Destination — Koh Ker and Beng MealeaSiem Reap Province
A day trip north of Angkor: the delicate Banteay Srei, the River of a Thousand Lingas at Kbal Spean, and the sacred Kulen Mountain with waterfalls.
Don't miss Examining carvings so fine they look like lace, at the "citadel of women".
Explore Destination — Banteay Srei and Kulen MountainFAQ
Two to three days is ideal for the main temples, plus extra days for outlying sites like Beng Mealea and Banteay Srei.
Yes. A budget traveller can manage on US$30-50 a day, though Angkor tickets and tours add to the cost.
Most nationalities need a visa, available online as an e-visa or on arrival. Check current rules before travelling.
US dollars are widely used alongside the Cambodian riel. Carry small dollar notes.
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